OTAs Day Two Recap

The St. Louis Rams completed the second of 10 organized team activities (OTAs) on Thursday.

If Thursday’s OTA was in any way indicative of how a typical 2014 practice will look, Rams Park will be an entertaining place come training camp.

Thursday’s workout featured a spirited competitive streak between the receivers and defensive backs during 7-on-7 drills.

WR Kenny Britt found himself as the center of attention multiple times, as he looked every bit like the talent he displayed in 2009-10, when he averaged more than 17 yards per reception over that two-year period. Britt outpaced corners Trumaine Johnson and Janoris Jenkins on a pair of deep corner routes early on in Thursday’s session, prompting the feisty Britt to trade a few verbal jabs with his teammates.

The edgy, competitive nature of Thursday’s practice has already demonstrated a contrast from years previous, an element that brought a smile to Head Coach Jeff Fisher.

“It was good, it was very competitive,” Fisher said of Thursday’s practice. “It started out early. Kenny (Britt) caught those two deep balls in the 1-on-1s. That kind of got things going, but it was good. It was good to see the offense respond.”

No one in the organization is more familiar with Britt’s ability than Fisher, who coached the receiver during the 2009-10 seasons. The showing he put forth Thursday looked familiar to the Rams Head Coach.

“He looks the part and he can make the plays,” Fisher said. "I was really happy to see him come on. He kept himself in really good shape during the free agency period. He came in, has done a great job inside. He’s had no setbacks, feels great physically. He could potentially return to where he was a very productive receiver.”

While Britt may have gotten the better of the defensive backs throughout Thursday’s two-hour session, it appears the secondary is embracing the challenge from the veteran receiver.

“There’s a lot of competition in the room,” rookie CB E.J. Gaines said. “At the same time, we’re family. Just being able to get out here and compete against them is fun. The competition is definitely going to make this team better.”

News and Notes

-With Jake Long still rehabbing from ACL surgery, the Rams plugged in T Sean Hooey alongside rookie left guard Greg Robinson during team offense. Presumptive right guard Rodger Saffold and right tackle Joe Barksdale also appeared on that unit. Fisher said that at this juncture, he prefers to keep the presumed opening day starters intact, instead of sliding Saffold or Robinson to tackle this early.

-QB Sam Bradford was in uniform but did not participate in Thursday’s OTA. Bradford did practice Tuesday during the team’s first OTA, and is slated to return to the field Friday.We’re going to have him participate in about half of the OTAs,” Fisher said. “He’ll probably get five of them in. Tomorrow he’s going to throw two 7-on-7 periods. He threw a 7-on-7 period with the 1s on Tuesday.”